My Autobiography: David Balleza K(C)atague

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Why Fly to the Moon Now

Why Fly to the Moon Now?

As NASA prepares to launch Artemis II from Cape Canaveral, many Americans and many people around the world are asking a simple but serious question: why go to the Moon now, when Earth is already facing so many urgent problems? Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years, and it is currently targeting a launch window that opens on Wednesday evening from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

It is an understandable question. Wars continue, economies remain fragile, climate fears grow, and millions of people still struggle with basic needs. In a time like this, a Moon mission can seem distant, expensive, even symbolic of priorities misplaced.

Yet human history has never been a straight line between crisis and progress. In difficult times, people often reach beyond survival and toward meaning. Space exploration has always carried that double purpose: it is practical science, and it is a statement of hope. NASA says Artemis II is a key step toward future missions to the Moon and Mars, and the mission is meant to test systems that will support longer deep-space travel.

More Than a Flag and Footprint

Artemis II is not about planting a flag and walking away. It is a crewed test flight designed to prove that humans can travel safely around the Moon and back, carrying the knowledge needed for later lunar landings and eventual Mars missions. NASA and partner agencies describe the mission as foundational for building a sustained human presence beyond Earth.

The crew itself reflects that broader idea. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, will spend about 10 days on the mission. That international crew underscores an important truth: space exploration is no longer just about national pride. It is about cooperation, capability, and shared ambition.

Why This Matters on Earth

The question “why go now?” becomes even more interesting when we remember that the Moon is not a distraction from Earth’s problems; in some ways, it is a way of preparing for them. The technologies, engineering, and international coordination behind Artemis II can produce knowledge useful far beyond spaceflight. NASA and its partners say the mission will help build the foundation for future lunar exploration and for the systems needed to go deeper into space.

There is also a larger human reason. People need moments that remind them the future still exists. In times of turmoil, public imagination can shrink. A Moon mission pushes back against that shrinkage. It tells children, students, and ordinary citizens that curiosity still matters, that science still matters, and that cooperation is still possible. NASA’s own framing of Artemis II emphasizes “why we go,” connecting the mission to long-term exploration and discovery.

A World That Still Looks Up

For some critics, the money should be spent elsewhere. That argument deserves respect, because the needs on Earth are real and immediate. But exploration and compassion are not opposites. A society can feed the hungry, heal the sick, and still invest in knowledge that expands what humanity can do together.

That is why Artemis II matters now. Not because the world is calm, but because it is not. Not because we have solved our problems, but because we have not. The launch from Cape Canaveral is more than a technical event. It is a reminder that even in a troubled world, humanity still chooses to look upward.

Meanwhile, here's the AI Overview

Returning to the Moon now is driven by

a desire to establish a permanent human presence, utilize lunar resources for deeper space exploration, and secure geopolitical advantages. Artemis-era missions focus on the South Pole for water-ice, scientific discovery, and building infrastructure (like a moon base) for eventual Mars missions.

Key reasons for returning to the Moon include:

Stepping Stone to Mars: The Moon acts as a testbed for technology and a launching point for deep-space missions, partly because lower gravity makes launching rockets cheaper.
Resource Utilization: Water-ice found at the poles can be converted into oxygen and fuel (propellants).
Scientific Discovery: The Moon serves as a "history book" for the solar system, providing insight into Earth's history, while its lack of atmosphere allows for deep space observation.
Economic Opportunity & Competition: A new "space race" has emerged, with nations like China targeting the 2030s for human landings, driving investment in a cis-lunar economy.
Technological Advancement: Modern, reusable rockets and private sector involvement (e.g., SpaceX, Blue Origin) make long-term habitation more feasible.

My Reflections on the No Kings Rally Last Saturday

From Walnut Creek to the World: Reflections from a “No Kings” Rally

The other day, I stood shoulder to shoulder with my neighbors here at THD Downtown Walnut Creek, holding a sign, feeling the energy of something larger than myself. At my age, I have seen many protests come and go, but there was something different about this one, something deeply personal, yet undeniably national.

They call it the “No Kings” movement.

A simple phrase, really. But behind it lies a powerful idea, that in America, no one rules like a monarch. We are, at least in principle, a nation of laws, not of kings.

As I looked around at the rally, I saw not anger, but concern. Not chaos, but conviction. Seniors people like myself, all gathered for their own reasons, yet united by a shared belief that democracy must be protected, not taken for granted.

Later, when I returned back to my apartment and turned on the news, I realized that what I experienced locally was happening all across the country and all over the world. Thousands of rallies. Millions of voices. From large cities to small towns even here in our quiet corner of Walnut Creek.

That realization gave me pause. We often think our individual actions are small, almost insignificant. Yet today reminded me that when enough “small” actions come together, they become something powerful something that cannot be ignored.

I also saw reports that similar, though smaller, demonstrations appeared in cities abroad London, Paris, Sydney, and beyond. While not on the same scale, it suggests that the world is watching us, just as we often watch them.

But I must be careful here. In today’s world of social media and viral images, it is easy to mistake exaggeration for truth. Headlines scream louder than facts. Narratives grow faster than reality. The image I saw circulating online painted this as a global uprising of historic proportions. The truth, as always, is more nuanced.

Yes, the movement is real. Yes, it is large. But it is also complex, emotional, and deeply human. And perhaps that is the real story.

For me, today was not about politics as much as it was about participation. About showing up. About reminding myself that even in the later chapters of life, my voice still counts.

I have lived long enough to know that democracy is not a guarantee, it is a practice. Something we must engage in, protect, and sometimes, yes, protest for.

As I left the rally, I felt something I had not felt in quite some time: a renewed sense of civic belonging.No kings. Just citizens. And today, I was proud to be one of them.

Meanwhile, here's the AI Overview

Reflections from participants of the "No Kings" rallies, just the other day, highlight a deeply emotional, energetic, and unified response to perceive authoritarianism in the United States. Attendees described the rallies as a necessary defense of democracy, filled with a diverse crowd focused on unity and peaceful resistance

Here are key reflections and themes from these protests:

1. A Sense of Solidarity and Urgency

Unity in Diversity: Participants noted that the crowds included people from all backgrounds—various races, religions, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and all ages—standing "shoulder to shoulder".
Emotional Release: Many attendees felt a sense of relief and "psychic uplift" from being with like-minded people, countering the despair often felt in the current political climate.
Urgency: The sentiment was that the stakes are incredibly high, with a "need for sustained strength and continued energy" rather than just a one-time event.

2. The Core Message: Defending Democracy

"No Kings" Doctrine: The fundamental message is that American democracy cannot tolerate a leader acting as a dictator or "king".
Rejecting Authoritarianism: Many signs and chants specifically target actions deemed anti-democratic, such as the targeting of immigrants or the concentration of power.
"We the People" Power: Rallies served to remind attendees that power resides with citizens, not with politicians or billionaire rulers.

3. Peaceful yet Powerful Resistance

Peaceful Atmosphere: Despite the high energy and intense political frustration, reports consistently emphasized that the rallies were peaceful.
Visible Resistance: The events were designed as a visible, physical presence in cities and small towns across the country, distinguishing it from passive online activity.

4. Intergenerational and Community Involvement

Teaching the Next Generation: Many attended with their children, aiming to show them the power of collective action and peaceful protesting.
Community Building: Participants described the events as festive yet focused, often featuring music and a sense of shared joy, which helped build community resilience.

Overall, the reflections paint a picture of a proactive citizenry, feeling called to rise up to defend the Constitution and ensure that democratic norms are not dismantled by authoritarian forces

Here's a short Reel on the No Kings Rally in San Francisco, CA

https://fb.watch/G8wmnzxTEq/

Highlights of My Professional Career

In my more than 40 years of professional career, I have experienced both working rank and file, as well as supervising the work of subordinates. I have worked in four private firms and the Federal Government, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where I retired. I enjoyed the challenges and difficulties of both types of job situations. This is the highlights of my work experience story.

My first job after completing my doctorate degree was a Chemist for Chemagro Corporation in Kansas City, Missouri. It was a subsidiary of Bayer Corporation, a German conglomerate. I worked for the analytical chemistry department comprised of about fifty people; half that number was either chemists or biologists. My specific task was to develop analytical methods for the detection of pesticide residues in plant and animal tissues. I worked on my own, similar to six other bench chemists, and we all reported to the same supervisor.

The firm sponsored my visa conversion from a student to a permanent resident, and I was able to legally work and reside in the United States with my family. The company generously took care of its employees. At the end of each successful year, everyone received a 13th month salary bonus. The employees and their families celebrated wonderful annual Christmas parties in a downtown Kansas City hotel, with dancing and free drinks for the whole night.

Inasmuch as I enjoyed and loved working for Chemagro for five years, I found a new job which offered a substantially higher pay. Due to my exemplary work performance, my supervisor preferred and lobbied for me to stay with the company. I had to turn him down because they could not match the package presented by my new employer. It was also a chance for me and my family to move and live in the US west coast, where the mild winter climate is bearable compared to the Midwest.

My next job was at the agricultural research division of Shell Development Company in Modesto, California. I was a Research Chemist, and again I worked individually, same as five other chemists who all reported to a supervisor. My specific duty was similar to my previous job. I worked for them for five years, until the company decided to get out of the pesticide business. They closed their research facility affecting the jobs of more than 200 employees.

My third industrial job was with the agricultural research division of Stauffer chemical company, located in Richmond, California. I was a Senior Research Chemist doing the same project as my two previous jobs. I worked for twelve continuous years for the company, with outstanding annual job performance. I became a Principal Research Chemist, the highest attainable non-supervisory position.

One day in 1986, my supervisor informed me that my job had been eliminated, and I had one day to vacate the facility. It was the most dreadful lay off experience in my life. I felt anger, sadness and humiliation to be dismissed from work with one day notice, after all the years of hard work invested for the company. This was an unforgettable incident and was the gloomiest point in my professional career.
The company terminated sixty research employees, who were upset of the bad news.

One of the chemists was distressed and expressed his outrageous anger by threatening the company and its workers. He told his supervisor of his intention to bomb and burn down the laboratory. He was immediately escorted by the security staff out of the building and into his car. He was informed to leave behind his personal belongings; they will be mailed to his residence. He was warned never to show up again near the company premises or risk getting arrested.

My supervisor was kind and allowed me to take my time to pack up my belongings. It took me two days to clear up my workplace, after toiling for a long period in the same jobsite. We were provided clerical help and office space, in preparation to look for another job, such as updating our resumes, and using the computer and copy machine. We were given six weeks of separation pay plus benefits.

Fortunately, with the help of a friend who is a Church parishioner, I found another job thirty days after leaving Stauffer chemical company. He hired me as a senior research chemist and as a group leader with two technicians to supervise. It was in the same field as my expertise in my previous three jobs spanning the last twenty one years. My new employer was Chevron Chemical Company, and which was located in the same area as my former employer.

This job gave me the introduction and basic knowledge of managing the work of subordinates. I worked for Chevron Company for four and a half years. The company decided to consolidate their research facilities in Texas, and lay off all its research employees. This time I had enough distress and agony from working, and eventually getting laid off from several private companies. To avoid going through any more miserable layoffs, I made a vow that I would never again work for a private company.

In my work experiences, there were noticeable and unavoidable jobsite occurrences. One can never miss the office romantic relationships between co-workers, both illicit and permitted. Though it was frowned upon, there was a boss and staff relationship, which was used as a ploy to get ahead in the company. Some relationships had chemistry, no pun intended, but some never worked out. Oftentimes, there was a sense of distrust among bench chemists for some workers who unjustly obtained preferred work assignments.

Some employees resorted to bribing superiors to get special privileges, such as being able to attend choice conferences and meetings in exciting venues or locations. Likewise, politics was always present at the worksites. It was during an era when various forms of harassment, equal opportunity and discrimination laws were not yet enforced in the workplace. Occasionally, an unexpected chemical explosion happens in a laboratory setting, where luckily no one got seriously hurt.

In the three private companies I worked for, I was able to publish scientific journals for some of the research studies and analytical methods which I developed for the respective companies of Chemagro, Shell Development and Stauffer.

After deciding and making a vow to avoid working in the private sector, I made my new goal which was either to work for the state of California, or the Federal government in Washington, D.C. Four months after I lost my job in Chevron, I was lucky and joyful to be hired by the Food and Drug Administration as a review chemist in the fall of 1990.

In 1994 I was promoted as an Expert Research Chemist with a GS-14 rating. My expertise was on Anti-malarial and Anti-parasitic drug products. In 1997, I was again deservingly promoted to Chemistry team leader, supervising the work of six Chemistry reviewers including five with doctorate degrees.

As team leader, I was responsible for prioritizing, assigning, and assuring the technical accuracy of all chemistry, manufacturing and control issues for all new drug applications submitted to the Division of Anti-Infective Drug Products, Center of New Drugs.

It was part of my responsibility to give advice, instruct and promote high morale and teamwork in my group. My work in the FDA is confidential, until the drug patent on the products I worked on has expired. There are manufacturing supplements that I have approved that are now open for the public in the Internet.

In 1998, I won the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Award. The citation reads, “For outstanding accomplishments in fostering the objectives of the EEO Program by hiring minorities and encouraging their professional growth while providing excellent leadership.” I have received numerous certificates of appreciation, awards in leadership and communications, commendation for teamwork and excellence in the accomplishment of the FDA mission. I have also received several letters of appreciation from private industry for my review work.

There are many good things working as rank and file while enjoying doing one’s job individually. It is a humbling, satisfying and productive experience, if one can work in harmony with one’s immediate supervisor. Working individually develops one’s skills in goal setting and scheduling. But in general, the financial rewards are less than a person who has supervisory responsibilities.

Managing the work of others has its challenges. Moreover, it develops one’s skill in handling and developing people, and the compensation rewards and benefits are better. Due to additional duties, responsibilities and leadership, supervisory work can be more stressful than working as a subordinate. However, supervisory jobs give one more personal growth and satisfaction, based on my personal experience. My work in FDA as a team leader managing the work of six scientists had been the happiest and rewarding work experience in my career in Chemistry. You might also like: